Electrical stimulation system and associated apparatus for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain

Abstract

In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain. The apparatus includes a body configured to seat within a burr hole formed in the person's skull. The apparatus also includes a central elastic membrane coupled to the body and extending across a central aperture of the body. The elastic membrane includes a number of pre-formed openings provided for purposes of securing the lead in position within the brain after implantation. Each pre-formed opening may penetrate through an entire thickness of the elastic membrane. Each pre-formed opening may be selected for insertion of the lead into the brain. Each pre-formed opening is adapted to elastically expand as the lead is inserted through the pre-formed opening and positioned in the brain and is adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation.

1. A method for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain, comprising:
 inserting an apparatus into a burr hole formed in the person's skull, a body of the apparatus configured to seat within the burr hole, a central elastic membrane of the apparatus extending across a central aperture of the apparatus body, the elastic membrane comprising a plurality of pre-formed openings provided for purposes of securing the lead in position within the brain, each pre-formed opening penetrating through an entire thickness of the elastic membrane, each pre-formed opening being selectable for insertion of the lead into the brain, each pre-formed opening being adapted to elastically expand to receive the lead as the lead is inserted through the pre-formed opening and positioned in the brain and being adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation; and 
 inserting the lead through a selected pre-formed opening and positioning the lead within the brain, the selected pre-formed opening elastically expanding as the lead is inserted through the selected pre-formed opening and positioned in the brain, the selected pre-formed opening elastically contracting on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-formed openings in the elastic membrane are arranged in a substantially regular pattern across a substantial portion of the central elastic membrane. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each pre-formed opening in the elastic membrane has the same regular geometric shape. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each pre-formed opening in the elastic membrane has a natural position; and 
 the elastic membrane is adapted to stretch to allow a pre-formed opening to move from its natural position for insertion and positioning of the lead. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each pre-formed opening being selectable for insertion of the lead into the brain comprises being selectable for insertion of a cannula into the brain, the lead being inserted into the brain via the cannula; 
 each pre-formed opening being adapted to elastically expand as the lead is inserted and positioned comprises being adapted to elastically expand to receive the cannula as the cannula is inserted through the pre-formed opening and positioned in the brain, the lead being inserted through the pre-formed opening via the cannula and positioned in the brain via the cannula; 
 each pre-formed opening being adapted to elastically contract comprises being adapted to elastically contract on and continuously grip the cannula until the cannula is removed from the brain after implantation of the lead and, substantially immediately after the cannula is removed, to elastically contract on and continuously grip the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain; 
 inserting and positioning the lead comprises inserting the lead through the selected pre-formed opening via the cannula and positioning the lead within the brain via the cannula; 
 the selected pre-formed opening elastically expanding as the lead is inserted and positioned comprises elastically expanding to receive the cannula as the cannula is inserted through the selected pre-formed opening and positioned in the brain, the lead being inserted through the selected pre-formed opening via the cannula and positioned in the brain via the cannula; and 
 the selected pre-formed opening elastically contracting comprises elastically contracting on and continuously gripping the cannula until the cannula is removed from the brain after implantation and, substantially immediately after the cannula is removed, elastically contracting on and continuously gripping the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein if the lead is temporarily coupled to stereotactic equipment that is coupled to the person's head for positioning of the lead in the brain, the selected pre-formed opening elastically contracts on and continuously gripping the cannula until the stereotactic equipment is also removed from the head after implantation of the lead. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving and securing a connecting portion of the lead in a substantially transverse channel in the apparatus body, the connecting portion of the lead adapted to couple the lead to a stimulation source. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removably coupling a cap of the apparatus to the apparatus body after implantation of the lead. 
     
     
       9. A method for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain, comprising:
 inserting an apparatus into a burr hole formed in the person's skull, a body of the apparatus configured to seat within the burr hole, the apparatus comprising a central membrane of elastic material that covers a central aperture of the apparatus body, the central membrane comprising a plurality of pre-formed openings provided for purposes of securing the lead in position within the brain, each pre-formed opening penetrating through an entire thickness of the central membrane, each pre-formed opening being selectable for insertion of the lead into the brain, each pre-formed opening being adapted to elastically expand to receive the lead as the lead is inserted through the pre-formed opening and positioned in the brain and being adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation; and 
 inserting the lead through a selected pre-formed opening, the insertion of the lead providing sufficient force to cause the selected pre-formed opening to expand; 
 positioning the lead such that electrodes of the lead are disposed in a selected area of the brain to apply stimulation pulses to the selected area; and 
 holding the lead, by applying a compressive elastic force from the selected pre-formed opening, to retain the lead in a position such that the electrodes of the lead are disposed in the selected area of the brain. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pre-formed openings in the central membrane are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern across a substantial portion of the central aperture. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each pre-formed opening in the central membrane has a natural position; and 
 the central membrane is adapted to stretch in any direction to allow a pre-formed opening to move from its natural position for insertion and positioning of the lead.